Reminiscences of a Long Life

p. 1Ancestry — Charles Thompson, Henry Pendleton —

My Father a Pupil of Andrew Broaddus —

Marries Frances J. Thompson — Removes to Kentucky — War with England.

My information concerning my ancestors goes back no farther than to my grandfathers, who were natives of Yirginia and of English descent. They were worthy citizens and honorable men, on whose characters there rests no blemish. My maternal grandfather was Charles Thompson, who had a number of children, the most prominent of whom was William M. Thompson, who, for some years, filled official positions, at Washington, under the Government of the United States. He was the father of Hon. Richard W. Thompson, for many years a member of Congress from Indiana, and Secretary of the Navy under the Presidency of Mr. Hayes. He is now an old man and the most conspicuous member of the Thompson family. In his palmy days he was a captivating orator and a special friend of Hon. Henry Clay.

p. 2My paternal grandfather was Henry Pendleton, whose name is mentioned in connection with an important meeting of the freeholders of Culpeper County, Virginia. I quote as follows :

" At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the County of Culpeper, in Virginia, assembled at the Court House of the said county, on Thursday, the 7th of July, 1774, to consider of the most effective method to preserve the rights and liberties of America." * * * * * "Resolved, That importing slaves and convict servants is injurious to this colony, as it obstructs the population of it with freemen and useful manufacturers ; and that we will not buy any such slave or convict servant hereafter to be imported. Henry Pendleton, Esq., Moderator."

I make this extract, second-hand, from "the first volume, 4th Series of American Archives, published by order of Congress." It shows that there was in Virginia, in 1774, a decided anti-slavery feeling and a purpose to oppose the policy of the British Government in the matter referred to. It is to the credit of my grandfather that he presided over the Culpeper meeting and gave his influence in condemnation of the wrong and in approval of the right.

p. 2My grandfather afterward became a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and I have before me a letter written by him, dated "Oct. 2, 1780, Guilford, North Carolina." The beginning of the letter is in these words: "My ever Dear and Loving Wife," showing that the spirit of the soldier did not interfere with the affection of the husband. He expresses his gratitude to God that while others had fallen he p. 3had been preserved, and he says to his wife, "I hope the Lord has heard your prayers for me." This is a suitable recognition of dependence on God, and there is something beautiful in the thought that while the husband was fighting in the cause of liberty the wife was at home, not only caring for small children, but praying for the success of that cause and the safe return of her husband. Many wives in times of war have done the same thing, and we shall never know our full indebtedness to their prayers. At what time my 'grandfather returned to his home I am not able to say, but it was an occasion of great joy to himself and family. He then devoted his attention to the pursuits of agriculture during the remainder of his life, and died an honest farmer and a devout Christian. His posterity need not blush in thinking of his name, but should strive to be like him in his patriotism and in his piety. When such men die earth suffers loss, but they are infinitely better off. They are ' ' taken from the evil to come " and enter into the blessedness of "the dead who die in the Lord.""

My grandfather had four children, one daughter, Mary, and three sons, Benjamin, Henry and John, the last of whom was my father. }VUiile his brothers, devoted themselves to the occupation1' of farmers, he had literary aspirations and resolved to acquire an education. He became a pupil of the celebrated p. 4Andrew Broaddus, of Caroline County, Ya. Mr. B. was a popular teacher and the most distinguished pulpit orator of his time. His eloquence was often charming and irresistible. His sermons were long remembered by his hearers and regarded as precious treasures.

p. 3[* As the letter to which I have referred is signed Henry Pendleton, Jr., and the signature to the Culpeper meeting has not this distinction, it is possible that it was nay great grandfather who presided at this meeting. It cannot certainly he known.]

p. 4My father ever felt his indebtedness to Mr. Broaddus for the assistance he received from him in his educational pursuits. He learned from him to appreciate knowledge more highly than ever before and became a respectable scholar for that day, though education was not then what it is now. His intelligence gained at school and from diligent reading in subsequent years gave him an influence far greater than that of most of his associates. This influence is no doubt felt by his posterity and has had a beneficial effect on their destiny.

After leaving the Academy of Mr. Broaddus my father taught school for some years, and in teaching others added to his stores of knowledge. Tuition fees were then meager, but by rigid economy he saved some money every year, which he invested as judiciously as possible. He looked to that period in the future when his expenses would be necessarily increased ; for he had decided that it was not best for 'rmaii to be alone."

It was while my father was teaching that he be-came acquainted with Miss Frances J. Thompson and was enamored of her charms. She was an •orphan and was living in the family of relatives, ohe had a bright, active mind, but her education p. 5was imperfect, for she labored under the disadvantages of orphanage. These disadvantages, however, did not eclipse her excellences of character, and her amiable qualities strongly attracted the admiration of her suitor. Admiration ripened into love and proposals of marriage were made. Judging from some things in a diary kept by my father at the time, I may say that he was greatly troubled with doubt and fear as to the acceptance of his offer. The question he had submitted to her was, "Will you marry me ? " and when the time for the answer came, he said, " Is your response favorable or not ? " She timidly, and with a throbbing heart, replied, ' ' Favorable. ' ' He was thrown into such ecstasy that he wrote in his diary the word " F AYOEABLE " in glowing capitals. It was, as subsequent years indicated, favorable for him and for her.